To the editor: Most individuals will bear in mind Phil Donahue for his trailblazing daytime TV discuss present, however my assembly with Phil was to honor him, Ellen Spiro and Tomas Younger for his or her seminal antiwar documentary, “Physique of Battle.” In 2007, the Pacific Palisades Democratic Membership introduced the three of them with awards for political braveness. (“Phil Donahue, the pioneering host of long-running daytime discuss present ‘Donahue,’ dies at 88,” obituary, Aug. 20)
And braveness it was — by Tomas, so critically injured in Iraq only one week after arriving, and his mom, Cathy Smith, who helped him mend after his return dwelling.
Their bond, and the struggles that Tomas confronted, paralyzed from the chest down, have been so poignantly captured by Ellen and Phil, interspersed with the documenting of politicians so prepared to interact in warfare — a warfare constructed on lies.
I doubt anybody can watch “Physique of Battle” and never be left in tears. It ought to be required watching earlier than any politician so shortly sends our younger women and men off to combat.
Alice Lynn, Pacific Palisades
